ESPN’s 2024 college football preseason All-America team

• Chris Low, ESPN

  • Elder WriterAug 14, 2024, 07:00 AM ET Close College football
  • press reporter Signed up with ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of the University of Tennessee

College football like we have actually never experienced it is on the doorstep, with games less than 2 weeks away, so it’s time to reveal ESPN’s 2024 preseason All-America team.Teams have moved

to new conferences, players to new teams, and for the first time, 12 groups (and not 4)will participate in the College Football Playoff.Our preseason All-America group consists of only four

players who were also first-team selections on our 2023 postseason group: Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II, Georgia security Malaki Starks, Alabama place-kicker Graham Nicholson and USC return specialist Zachariah Branch.Alabama, Georgia and Michigan blaze a trail with three first-team choices each. Ohio State has one first-team choice, however four second-teamers.< img src="https://a.espncdn.com/i/infographics/20170710_nfl_fpr/charts/_end_rule.png

“width=” 100 %”/ > Michigan TE Colston Loveland, Clemson Pound Barrett Carter, Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan and Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. ESPN OFFENSE In his first season as a starter a year earlier, Beck practically made it look too easy at times in leading the SEC and ranking 3rd nationally with 3,941 passing lawns. Some of his top playmakers have proceeded, including tight end Brock Bowers, however Beck is at his finest spreading out the ball around and discovering open targets. He finished 72.4% of his passes and was obstructed just six times in 417 pass attempts.Second group: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon Gordon went from a little-used freshman to the Doak Walker Award winner as the leading running back in college football last season. He led all FBS players with 1,732 hurrying backyards and scored 22 goals. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior has a little bit of everything in his collection. He connected for second nationally a year ago with 1,056 backyards after contact and led all players with 14 rushes of 30 backyards or longer. He’s plenty resilient too, as evidenced by his 285 carries.Second group: Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech Editor’s Picks 2 Related As a true sophomore a year ago, Hampton burst onto the scene by finishing 5th nationally in hurrying (1,504 yards), and he led all FBS players with 1,072 lawns after contact, according to Pro Football Focus. The 6-foot, 220-pound Hampton showcased his adaptability by capturing 29 passes for 222 yards and scored 16 goals(15 rushing and one getting). Not only did Hampton average 5.9 yards per rush on 254 attempts, however he likewise had five runs of 50 backyards or longer.Second team: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State When he came out of high school in East St. Louis, Problem was touted as the leading receiving prospect in the nation. He’s measured up to that billing and after that some at Mizzou. The 5-11, 208-pound junior has scored 18 goals in his first two seasons. He was 2nd in the SEC and ninth nationally a year ago with 1,212 receiving yards. Concern finished with 86 receptions and is absolutely electric outdoors field. He ranked third nationally with 725 yards after the catch.Second group: Tez Johnson, Oregon One of the very best pass-catch combinations in college football this season will once again be Noah Fifita to McMillan, and it’s been that way because they were colleagues in high school.

The 6-5, 210-pound McMillan is a tough matchup for any defensive back. He does not drop passes and excels at making contested catches. As a true sophomore, McMillan completed with 90 catches for 1,402 lawns and 10 goals. He should be much more polished as a junior.Second group: Tory Horton, Colorado State Now that Brock Bowers is playing in the NFL, Loveland takes his rightful location as the premier tight end in college football, especially with his skills as both a receiver and blocker. The 6-5, 245-pound junior is incredibly athletic and finished third on Michigan’s championship game group last season with 45 catches, averaging 14.4 lawns per catch. He drew in 4 touchdown receptions and made first-team All-Big Ten honors.Second group: Brant Kuithe, Utah Campbell has been LSU’s starting left tackle considering that his first game as a real freshman. The 6-6, 323-pound junior has begun 26 straight games and could be the first offensive lineman taken in the 2025 NFL draft. He’s a sleek pass protector and didn’t enable a sack last season in 491 pass-blocking scenarios, according to Pro Football Focus. Campbell’s power and strength also make him an outstanding run blocker.Second group: Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota Georgia might have its finest offending line of Kirby Smart’s period, and Ratledge is among the leaders of that system after bypassing a possibility to enter the NFL draft. The 6-6, 310-pound senior is a two-year starter at best guard. His first start came three years ago, however he broke his foot in the very first game versus Clemson and missed out on the remainder of the season. Ratledge earned AP second-team All-America honors a year back and returns as one of the very best pass-blocking guards in the country.Second group: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State Among Kalen DeBoer’s major acquisitions in the offseason was Brailsford, who followed his coach from Washington to Alabama. The 6-2, 275-pound Brailsford was a Freshman All-American last season for the Huskies. He started 13 games at center and two at best guard. What Brailsford does not have in size, he makes up for with speed and burst. Brailsford missed out on spring practice however having him in the middle of

the Alabama offending line is a huge reason the Tide must be dominant up front.Second team: Cooper Mays, Tennessee There’s no factor Alabama should not have the ability to run the ball between the tackles this season with Booker back at left guard and Brailsford settling in at center. At 6-5 and 352 pounds, Booker is huge and equally powerful as both a run blocker and pass protector. He’s a real junior and one of the leaders on the team after playing 427 snaps as a real freshman and making first-team All-SEC honors as a sophomore.Second team: Luke Kandra, Cincinnati Both deals with on our All-America group have actually been beginners given that

they were true freshmen. The 6-4, 320-pound

Banks has actually begun 27 straight games and been a fixture at left deal with for the Longhorns considering that the day he stepped on campus. He enabled simply one sack in 550 pass-blocking situations last season and made AFCA second-team All-America honors. Banks won’t have to wait long to hear his name hired the 2025 NFL draft.Second group: Emery Jones, LSU A true two-way player, Hunter functions as a receiver and cornerback, and like his coach, Deion Sanders, is vibrant in both functions. The 6-1, 185-pound junior played 436 snaps on offense and 566 snaps on defense last season on his way to winning the Paul Hornung Award as the most flexible player in college football. Hunter captured 57 passes, consisting of 5 goals, on offense and intercepted 3 passes on defense.Second group: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State DEFENSE James Pearce Jr. connected for the SEC lead last season with 10 sacks. Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire Pearce was among the sport’s breakout stars a year earlier and enters his junior season as one of the most feared pass rushers in the nation. He connected for the SEC lead last season with 10 sacks and connected for 5th nationally with 38 total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. The 6-5 Pearce has expanded given that getting here on school and is now 243 pounds. Some scouts believe he might be the leading defender taken in the 2025 NFL draft.Second team: Abdul Carter, Penn State Prepare yourself for a fight on every snap with the 6-3, 320-pound Graham, who also wrestled four years in high school. He’s a disrupter in the middle of the Michigan defensive line whether he’s smothering ball carriers or chasing down quarterbacks. Graham, who played

with a broken thumb through much of last season, was called the Rose Bowl MVP in the playoff semifinal win over Alabama. He’s the complete bundle as an interior defensive lineman.Second team: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State The 6-6, 348-pound Walker is a Big Blue mountain in the middle of Kentucky’s protective line. He was a first-team All-SEC choice a year ago as a sophomore and will be among the most coveted interior defensive linemen in the 2025 NFL draft.

Regardless of battling constant double-teams, Walker led the Wildcats with 12.5 takes on for loss, including 7.5 sacks. For a man his size, he’s an amazing professional athlete and ran the 100 meters in high school.Second team: Peter Woods, Clemson Power conference previews Whatever you need to understand about the power conferences, including top players, power rankings and

games to watch. SEC|Huge 10|Huge 12|ACC Scourton is back home after moving from Purdue. He’s from neighboring Bryan, Texas, and was a big rating for new Aggies coach Mike Elko in the transfer portal after leading the Big Ten with 10 sacks last season. The 6-4, 285-pound junior had 42 overall quarterback pressures a year back, and both Michigan and Ohio State had issues obstructing him. Scourton’s deep variety of pass-rush relocations, according to Pro Football Focus, is the best in the country.Second team: Mykel Williams, Georgia Clemson’s defense got fantastic news when Carter announced last

December he was returning for his senior season. He’s a 6-1, 230-pound eager beaver who has revealed flexibility throughout his career by walking around and playing various roles. He’s as reliable hurrying the passer as he is dropping into pass coverage. Dabo Swinney called Carter “among the very best pure football players I have actually had in twenty years. “Second team: Jason Henderson, Old Dominion Couple of linebackers in college football have the experience, production and playmaking capability of Stutsman, whose return for his senior season was huge for an OU defense looking for more consistency as the Sooners relocate to the SEC. The 6-4, 241-pound Stutsman has actually racked up 26.5 tackles for loss his past two seasons(19 for loss or no gain in 2015), and he led the

Sooners with 104 total tackles.Second team: Deontae Lawson, Alabama After significant dispute about where Perkins ought to play, he will return to inside linebacker while likewise moving outside and hurrying the passer on third down. The 6-1, 225-pound junior had 7.5 sacks as a true freshman in an edge rusher function. He moved inside as a sophomore, and while his sack numbers dipped somewhat, he matched his freshman overall with 13 deals with for loss. Wherever Perkins lines up, quarterbacks need to be wary of him.Second group: Jay Higgins, Iowa Johnson

concentrates on taking away opponents’finest receiver. He permitted a 29.1 passer rating into his protection last season, according to Pro Football Focus, fifth finest among all cornerbacks in college football. The 6-2, 202-pound junior locked down both Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze last season and was called the protective MVP in the championship game game. He’s a likely top-five choice in the 2025 NFL draft.Second team: Denzel Burke, Ohio State

When you discuss a player constantly being

around the football, that’s Morrison personified. He has actually obstructed 9 passes in his two seasons at Notre Dame and was a Thorpe Award semifinalist a year ago as the leading defensive back in college football. The 6-foot, 190-pound Morrison enters his junior season as one of the country’s elite corners. He’s outstanding in single protection, and the scouts like his ball skills.Second group: Sebastian Castro, Iowa Starks could become Georgia’s very first two-time All-America security in nearly

40 years. He’s been a

rock for the Bulldogs on defense since his true freshman season and masters both stopping the run and playing protection. The 6-1, 205-pound junior was 4th on Georgia’s group last season with 52 overall takes on and had 3 interceptions. When the Bulldogs have needed a big play, Starks has existed to make it.Second group: Dillon Thieneman, Purdue Downs might be using a new jersey in 2024, however there’s absolutely nothing new about his ability. After a sensational freshman season at Alabama, Downs joins

an ultra-talented roster at Ohio State. The 6-foot, 205-pound sophomore led Alabama with 107 total takes on last year and intercepted two passes. He’s a sure tackler and has the coverage abilities of a cornerback. Downs was the top portal addition in college football this offseason.Second group: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame SPECIAL GROUPS A year eliminated from becoming the very first MAC player to win the Lou Groza Award as the

nation’s leading place-kicker, Nicholson is moving from Miami(Ohio)to Alabama. He made 27 of his 28 basket efforts, hitting 10 from 40-plus yards. He’s made 60 basket during his profession, and as an experienced senior with excellent range and precision, Nicholson makes a currently strong Alabama unique groups unit that much stronger.Second team: Andres Borregales, Miami Mastromanno is precisely what a coach is trying to find in a punter because extremely couple of

of his punts are returned. Among 3 finalists

for the Ray Guy Award last season, Mastromanno was 2nd in the nation with 37 fair catches and third with 30 punts inside the 20-yard line. The Seminoles ranked third nationally with a net average of 43.2 backyards per punt. The Melbourne, Australia, native is back for his fifth season as FSU’s punter and also holds for kicks.Second group: James Burnip, Alabama Lincoln Riley has actually challenged Branch to offer more pop in USC’s passing game. He was ESPN’s premier receiver prospect in the 2023 finalizing

class, and as a true freshman last season, he returned both a kickoff and punt for goals. He had 3 punt returns of 60 backyards or longer. If Branch can expand on his 31 catches from a year ago and continue to supply fireworks on special teams, he could bloom into one of the sport’s more electrifying players.Second group: Jacob De Jesus, UNLV